Collapsible umbrella



July 9, 1935. L. A. CAPALDO 3 coLLAPsIBLE UMBRELLA Filed Jan. 26, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.v

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BY. 7%? I ATTORNEYS y 1935- L. A. CAPALDO COLLAPSIBLE UMBRELLA 2 snets sneet 2 Filed Jan. 26, 1935 .INVENTORV ATTORNEYJ Patented July 9, 1935 UNITED STATES 2,0ov,364. I

"PATENT OFFICE COLLAPSI BLE UMBRELLA Louis A. Capaldo, NewYork, N. .Y. 7 I Application January 26, 1933, Serial No. 653,570

7 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and improved Collapsible umbrella.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a collapsible umbrella which can be easily manipulated in order to collapse or to extend the same. 7

'Another object of my invention isto provide a collapsible umbrella which can becollapsed so that it occupies very little space.

Other objects of my invention will be set forth in the following description and drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof, it being understood that the above general statement of the objects of my invention is intended merely to generally explain the same and not to limit it in any manner.

Fig. l is an elevation'showing the umbrella in collapsed position.

Fig. 2'is a vertical sectional view through the axis of the rod of the umbrella, certain of the parts being shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the essential parts in the extended position. v

Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the latch for holding the parts of the rod or stickin extended position. In this view the latch is in its operative position.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing the latch' in the inoperative position, this position corresponding to that shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a plan View and Fig. '7 is a side elevation, these views showing the rib construction. i Fig. 8. is a sectional view through the line 8-8 of Fig. 7. v

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic side elevation showing the umbrella in the closed and extended position.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9, showing how, the ends of the ribs are enga umbrella is collapsed.

Fig. .11generally corresponds to Fig." 1, and shows the final stage in collapsing theumbrella. Fig. 12"is an elevation partially in section showing the rib-connections. V Fig., 13 is a section on the lines l3-l3 of Fig. 12.

I The umbrella comprises a suitable fabric covering F, a head 2 having a recess 3, and a ring 4. f

As shown in Fig. 3, for example, the headZ is provided with a recess in which a thimble or bushing 5 is located. Said thimbleor bushing 5 has a flange 50, which extends over the adjacent lateral surface of the head 2. The memged, as the (Cl. 135 37) r ber 5 eitherhas a drive lit in the head 2 or it is cemented in position within the head2. The member 5 is closed at its inner end, save for slots through which project tongues of the inner rod section R. Said tongues are suitably connected '5 to the underside of the member 5, so as to provide a strong and rigid connection between the members 5 and R. The rodor stick of the umbrella'als'o comprises an upper or outer section Ra. w The rod'section R is provided with the usual latch 6 having a projecting head 6a, inorder to engage the runner I when the parts are in the position shown'in Fig. 9. Said runner l is suitably slotted. The latch 6 may be of the usual blade-spring construction, and its upp r end fib is suitablyconnected to the section R, by means of a 'rivet-like member 8. The rod sections 'R" and Ru. may be of elliptical cross section if desired, and'the section Ra has a sliding fit upon thesection R. A tension spring 9 has its lower end passing around afpin l0 which is'suitably connected to the section R. The upper end of the spring 9 is connected to a latch H which is turnably connected to the section R by means of a pivot pinjlZ.

The tension spring 9 normally maintains the latch in the position shown in Fig. 4, in which lateral position said latch ll projects through a slot H! in the section R, and through a slot. $5 in the section Ra, The latch ll then'maintains the rod or stick of the umbrella in the extended position shown in Fig. 3.

f The runner. I is held in its upper position by means'of a'latchlB whose upper end is connected tothe section Ra by means of a rivet member l1; Thelatch member l6 has superposed head sections lfiaandlfib. The head section 1612 exiendsthrough the slot in the runner'l, and the head section Ifia limits'the upper movement of the runner I. .The rod section Ra is provided withthe' usual'tip l8, and the fabric F is connected to the umbrella in the manner .later described; p 7 V V 45 Channel-shaped spreaders l9 are turnably connected to the runner by means of pins 20 in the usual manner. Said channels are of the usual U-shape, the closed sides of the channels being at the bottoms of the spreaders. Q The spreaders l9 are turnably connected to therib members 2| by means ofthe usual connections,22. 'Each rib member 2| is channelshaped,'and each said rib member 2| is slidably associated with an auxiliary rib member 23.

Said auxiliary rib members 23 are turnably connected to the crown C of the umbrella by means of pivot pins 24.

As shown in Fig. 8, the U-shaped rib members 2| cover more than a semi-circle in cross-section, so that the rib sections 23 are held in slidable engagement with the sections 2|, and it is impossible to laterally detach the rib sections 23 from the rib sections 2|. When I refer to a member 2| as being a channel member, I intend to refer to a member which is bent or stamped into the desired shape, and with its longitudinal edges separated, as distinguished from a tubular member having a slot whose length is less than the length of the tubular member.

In order to further ensure the sliding engagement of the sections 2| and 23, each section 2| is provided with a thimble 25 which closes the longitudinal opening of the rib section 2|. Likewise, the free sliding end of each rib section 23 is bent so as to offset the same, this bent portion 23a being shown in Fig. 2. The members 2| and 23 are made of resilient metal, and the spring effect which is produced by the offset end 23a causes the members 2| and 23 to remain in proper sliding engagement. The pivotal connection between each pair of members l9 and 2| is covered by a'cloth loop 21. Said cloth loop may comprise a piece of cloth which is folded around the junction point between a member |9 and a member 2|, and the legs of said loop are connected to each other by means of stitches 21a. The fabric covering F of the umbrella is connected to said cloth loops 21 by supplemental stitches which coincide with the stitches 21a.

Of course, the fabric covering F is also connected to the tips of members 2|. As shown in Fig. 7, the stitches 21a prevent the cloth loops 21 from shifting relative to the ribs 2| Hence, when the umbrella is closed, and the stick section Ra is slid to the position shown in Fig.2, the cloth loops 21 hold the adjacent part of the cloth covering, and the upper part of the fabric covering F is folded in a symmetrical manner, relative to the lower part thereof.

If desired, the covering fabric F could be connected to the fabric loops 21, only by means of stitches which are located below the pivot points 22, that is, between pivot points 22 and the outer tips of rib sections 2|.

In order to reinforce the rib construction, the s'pr'eaders may be pivotally connected by means of pins 43, to auxiliary rib members 40, which are pivotally connected by means of pivot members 42, to a ring 4| whichis slidably mounted upon the rod section Ra. I

As shown in Fig. 3, the crown C of the umbrella is provided with an annular extension 44. When the umbrella has been extended and opened, the ring 4| abuts the underside of the projection 44.

When the umbrella is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the fabric F can be held in position by means of anordinary strap S. e c

Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3, the operations for closing and collapsing the umbrella are asfollows:

The spring latch I6 is forced inwardly and the runner I is moved downwardly until the head 6a of the spring latch 6 enters the slot of the runner 1. The parts are then in the position shown in Fig. 9. The tips of the rib sections 2| are then held and pressed against the section R, and pressure is exerted upon the tip l8 while the head 2 is held against movement. The pressure is sufiicient to cause the turnable latch II to move into the position shown in Fig. 5. In order to facilitate this, the latch may have a rounded front surface, or said surface may be rounded or inclined as shown in Fig. 4. The tension of the spring 9 is sufficient to hold the parts of the rod or stick in the extended position shown in Fig. 3, but the section Ra may be readily slid upon the section R, by applying moderate pressure.

The runner is now moved into the position shown in Fig. 2, and the section Ra is moved downwardly until its lower end enters the space between the members R and 5, as shown in Fig. 2.

Of course the rib sections 23 slide within the rib sections 2|.

The upper part of the fabric F is pleated or folded over the lower part thereof, thus providing an attractive appearance.

In order to extend and open the umbrella, it is merely necessary to pull upon the tip l8, until the latch H enters the slot E of the section Ra, so that the stick is in extended position. The parts are then in the position shown in Fig. 9, and the device can then be opened and handled like an ordinary umbrella.

Generally speaking, the spring 9 holds the latch in position with sufficient force so that the device can be handled like an ordinary umbrella, until the necessary pressure is exerted upon the tip |8 in order tocollapse the rod or stick of the umbrella.

An important feature of my invention is the provision of means for preventing the outer ends of the rib sections 2| from moving outwardly, when the stick is collapsed.

Forconvenience in describing the parts, it is assumed that the umbrella is held in the position shown in Fig. 3, so that the rib sections 23 may be designated as the "upper rib sections and the section Ra may be designated as the upper rod or stick section.

I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, but it is clear that numerous changes and omissions can be made without departing from its spirit.

I claimf 1. An umbrella having a stick comprising a plurality of hollow telescopic sections, said sections having slots which are adapted to register, a turnable latch which is pivotally connected to the interior of one of said sections, a spring connected to said latch, and adapted to hold it in operative position, said latch projecting through said slots when it is in the operative position and then serving to hold the stick in extended position.

2. In a collapsible umbrella having a collapsible stick which has relatively slidable sections, rib sections, and supplemental rib sections which are slidable with respect to the first-mentioned rib sections, the inner ends of .said supplemental rib sections being connected by pivot members to the upper end of the stick; fabric members severally connected to said rib sections, and an outer fabric covering connected to said fabric members, and also connected to the tips of the first-mentionedrib-sections and to the upper part of the stick, so that the upperpart of said fabric covering is folded over the lower part thereof in a symmetrical manner, when the respective rib sections are collapsed.

3. In a collapsible umbrella having a collapsible stick which has relatively slidable stick sec,- tions, and a handle on the lower end of said stick presenting a portion concaved towards the opposite end of the stick, rib sections pivotally connected to the upper section of said stick, supplemental rib sections which are respectively slidably mounted on the first-mentioned rib sections, the inner ends of said supplemental rib sections being connected by pivot members to the upper section of the stick so that when the ribs are folded down to the stick and the rib tipsare engaged by said concave portion said supplemental rib sections are caused to slide relative to the first-mentioned rib sections when the stick is collapsed, a fabric covering connected to the tips of the first-mentioned rib-sections and to the upper part of the stick, and means retaining a part of the fabric covering which isabove the tips of said first-mentioned rib-sections in sliding relation relative to said supplemental rib-sections, so that the upper part of said fabric covering is folded over the lower part thereof, when the stick together with the ribs is collapsed,

4. In a collapsible umbrella having a collapsible stick which has relatively slidable stick sections and a handle on the lower end of said stick pre-' senting a portion co-ncaved towards the opposite end of the stick, rib sections, supplemental rib sections which are respectively slidably mounted on the first-mentioned rib sections, the inner ends of said supplemental rib sections being connected by pivot members to the upper section of the stick so that when the ribs are folded down to the stick and the rib tips are engaged by, said concave portion said supplemental rib sections are caused to slide relative to the first-mentioned rib sections whenthe stick is collapsed, a fabric covering connected to the tips of the first-mentioned rib-sections and to the upper section of the stick,

. and means retaining a part of the fabric covering posed recesses, the upper recess being wider than the lower recess, said head having an annular wall which is located at the bottom of the upper recess and also at the top of the lower recess, the ribs of the umbrella entering and being confined in said upper recess when the umbrella is collapsed and being then located above said annular wall, and the upper section entering the lower recess and being located between the lower section and the wall of the lower recess when the umbrella is collapsed, said recesses always occupying the same position relative to each other.

' 6. In an umbrella having a stick comprising a plurality of hollow telescopic sections, said sections having slots which are adapted to register,

a turnable latch which is pivotally connected to the interior of one of said sections, a spring connected to said latch and adapted to hold it in operative position, said latch projecting through said slots when it is in operative position and then serving to hold the stick in extended position, the lower telescopic section having a rigid head connected thereto, said rigid head having superposed recesses, the upper recess being wider than the lower recess, said head having an annular wall which is located at the bottom of the upper recess and also at the top of the lower recess, the ribs of the umbrella entering and being confined in said upper recess when the umbrella is collapsed and being then located above said annular wall, and the upper section entering the lower recess and being located between the lower section and. the wall of the lower recess when the umbrella is collapsed, said recesses always occupying the same position relative to each other.

'7. In a collapsible umbrella having a collapsible stick, a runner mounted upon said stick, spreaders connected to said runner, main rib sections connected to said spreaders, supplemental rib sections which are slidable relative to the first-mentioned rib sections, the inner ends of said supplemental rib sections being pivotally mounted on the upper end of said stick, the inner rib sections being solid and having circular crosssections, the main rib sections being channel members whose cross-section is more than a semi-circle.

LOUIS A. CAPALDO 

